Memphis Grizzlies: March Twitter mailbag
Parker Fleming (@PAKA_FLOCKA)
The 10-man rotation looks solid on paper — one that could potentially get the Grizzlies back into postseason contention. However, there are some slight changes I’d make to this rotation. For starters, Evans should play alongside Conley at the 2, since it’s the Grizzlies’ best backcourt combination. Most teams in the Western Conference have a deadly 1-2 punch in the backcourt playing 30+ minutes a night. Conley and Evans give the Grizzlies a best chance of hanging with him.
Secondly, I’d move Doncic to the bench and move Brooks to the starting 3 spot. Brooks has more than deserved a starting spot for next season, as he could be the perfect low-usage shooter and a defensive stopper alongside Conley, Gasol and Evans. In addition, if Doncic is playing in the NBA next season (don’t know his contract situation with Real Madrid at the moment), they should try to bring him along off the bench — at least to start his career. Having him alongside Harrison, Parsons and Selden could give the Grizzlies a nice bench squad.
Finally, I don’t know if Martin is cut out for the 5. Rabb or Davis seems like the better pick here, as they should look to explore trade options for Martin and Green to build more depth on the wings.
Chip Crain (@Chipc3)
This is a decent lineup on paper assuming … Mike Conley and Chandler Parsons are healthy, Tyreke Evans can be resigned as an unrestricted free agent, Marc Gasol doesn’t continue his decline in play, Luka Doncic doesn’t struggle with the speed and athleticism of the NBA as a rookie, Wayne Selden shows more consistency, Dillon Brooks continues to improve in his sophomore season despite turning 23 years old next season and Jarell Martin puts on a ton of weight.
Martin is currently struggling as a small forward with the Grizzlies. It’s a big stretch to see him as a stretch five next season.
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In other words, this is a disaster in the making lineup in my eyes. Harrison is adequate as a backup PG, but with Conley’s health issues, the team needs a much stronger option off the bench than Harrison and Kobi Simmons (not mentioned in the 10 man rotation). I don’t know what the pan is for Ivan Rabb or Ben McLemore in this scenario either.
Sorry, but there are too many question marks up and down the roster to envision this lineup competing for the playoffs next season.
Justin Lewis (J_Timberfake_)
I personally don’t like this lineup at all. While health will always be the biggest factor with this team and their possible return to the playoffs, drafting Doncic and using that rotation is not our best option. I personally am for Evans coming off the bench again next season, and having Selden and Brooks start next to Conley.. The super bench when they came out the gates on fire this year was magical, because Tyreke could do his thing. Let Mike and Marc run the first unit, then bring Evans off the bench to lead the bench mob.
Secondly, I don’t want Martin in the rotation at all, let alone playing the 5. Davis should definitely slide into that spot as he continues to improve this year. If Chris Wallace pulls off bringing back Tyreke for the next few seasons, I don’t like Doncic as a fit for this roster. I do love the idea of Parsons being the bench 4 and playing small. This combination gives them four playmakers on the perimeter, with DD catching lobs for days.
This would be my rotation if the Grizz did end up with Doncic:
Conley/Harrison
Selden/Doncic
Brooks/Evans
Green/Parsons ($25 million off the bench!!)
Gasol/Davis
Nathan Chester @BigNateChester
I mean, is it a great roster? No. Is it a roster that would make the playoffs next season? Probably not. But is it about as good as anything the Grizzlies could hope for next season assuming everyone stays healthy? Yes.
However, there are three problems with this roster. First, Jarell Martin shouldn’t be playing the 5, 4, or the 3 for that matter (Jarell Martin shouldn’t be getting consistent minutes on a good team is what I am saying). Deyonta Davis would be a better fit in the second unit. Second, you are certainly an optimist if you think Tyreke Evans will be on the team next year. I would put that at about a 10 percent chance of happening at this point. Finally, there is not enough balanced scoring coming off the bench. Swap out Luka Doncic with Wayne Selden or Dillon Brooks, and we will have a deal.